Educational and cultural event within the framework of “Bloomsday 2026” at GTU

The Faculty of Informatics and Control Systems of the Georgian Technical University, at the initiative of the Georgian-Irish Center, held an educational and cultural event within the framework of “Bloomsday 2026”, which was dedicated to the popularization of Irish literature, culture, and Georgian-Irish relations.

The event was attended by the university administration representatives, academic staff, students and guests, including laureates of various generations, national and international competitions and multiple winners in various nominations: Lia Metreveli – General Director of “Saktsigni”; Juba Ghebeli – Editor of the newspaper “Literary Georgia”; Tamar Shaishmelashvili – Editor of the literary magazine “Aneuli”; Nino Udzilauri – Constructor, Teacher; Nino Modrekiladze – Journalist, Coordinator of Preschool Education and Educational Programs; Leila Gaprindashvili – Doctor; Kakha Shalamberidze – Engineer; Akaki Gabrichidze; Patricia Deloni – Businesswoman; Nana Kvashilava – Philologist, one of the founders of the festival – “Kuji” competition; Maia Kakhidze – journalist, actress; Diana Shalamberidze – philologist, Georgian language and literature teacher; Dali Zaliashvili – obstetrician-gynecologist, chemical-bacteriological analysis laboratory assistant; Tea Tabagari – philologist; Nana Shalamberidze – Germanist, one of the founders of the “Georgian-Irish Center” and its permanent head. Also, authors – Tamar Shengelia and Tamar Glurjidze.

According to the Dean of the Faculty of Informatics and Control Systems of Georgian Technical University, participants discussed the significance of Irish writers James Joyce and William Butler Yeats, explored the impact of their literary contributions, and emphasized the global importance of the “Bloomsday” tradition. As Professor Taliko Zhvania states, the event included thematic reports, literary readings, and discussions, with special attention paid to the existing connections between Georgian and Irish cultures, as well as to the prospects for international educational and cultural cooperation.

“The multifaceted development of students is of particular importance for the Georgian Technical University, which, along with professional knowledge, also includes deepening cultural, humanitarian, and international awareness. The event dedicated to “Bloomsday 2026,” organized by the Georgian-Irish Center, serves this very purpose. James Joyce’s work is an important part of world literature, and “Bloomsday” has already become an international cultural event today. It is important that young people, in parallel with technical education, have the opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural heritage of different countries. This contributes to their personal growth, the formation of a broad worldview, and successful integration into the global environment. I thank the guests, especially the Georgian-Irish Center, for organizing the event, and I am sure that similar initiatives will contribute to the deepening of international and cultural cooperation at the university in the future.”

 – Professor Taliko Zhvania

According to representatives of the Georgian-Irish Center, the celebration of “Bloomsday” helps to raise students’ cultural awareness, familiarize them with the literary heritage of different countries, and deepen international academic relations.

“The collaboration with the Georgian Technical University, and especially with the Faculty of Informatics and Control Systems, is not accidental. In the modern world, technologies, innovations, and humanitarian education are closely interconnected. Our goal is to give students the opportunity, along with professional competencies, to get acquainted with European culture, literature, and the values ​​that contribute to the development of a modern knowledge-based society.

That is why we chose Georgian Technical University and the Faculty of Informatics and Control Systems, where study the youth who will play an important role in the country’s technological and economic development in the future. We believe that an engineer, programmer, or information technology specialist, along with professional knowledge, must have a broad cultural vision and the skills necessary to work in an international environment.

“Bloomsday” is not just a literary event; it is an opportunity for young people to better understand Irish culture, the education system, and the experience that has made this country one of the most successful examples of innovation and technological development. Such initiatives will further deepen Georgian-Irish educational and cultural cooperation.”

– Nana Shalamberidze, Head of the Georgian-Irish Center.